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ORATION, 



PRONOUNCED At SALEM, 



ON 



TEE FOURTH DAY OF JULY, 1804, 



iw 



COMMEMORATION 



OF OUR 



NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE, 



/ 



'\'Tfv^f-,-'r 



By JOSEPH STORY, Esq. 



Where Liberty dwells there is my Country. 

pRANKtlN. 



SALEM : 
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CAfiLTON. 

1804. 

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^W^^^"l^^<ll^^<^^^ 



t.»n.:*»Vfl.*»»Mkl 



Sahn, ^thjuiy, 1804. 



Dear Sir, 

The Committee of Arrangements return you thanks for your 
iruly elegant Oration, delivered yefterday in commemoration of America^ 
Independence ; and rcqueft a copy of the fame fortheprefs. 
IVe are, Deur Sir, 

Your Friends, and 
Humblt Servants, 

JACOB CROWNINSHIELD, ■% 
HENRY PRINCE, Committee 

JOSEPH ROPES, I of 

JOHN HATHORNE, juN. Arrangementsi 

JOSEPH WHITE, JUN. ) 

Joseph Storv, ^/jr. 



Salem, July 6, 1804. 
Gentlimkn, 

Your polite attention has my moft grateful return. If the 
part which I had the honor to perform, in comnienioration of our Indepen- 
dence gave fatisfaftion to my friends, I am amply lepaid. I fubmit the 
Oration to your difpofal ; and I truft, ihat it will not be confidered an un- 
meaning apology to claim the candnr of criticiim for a compofuion which 
}ias been hafliiy wriu<»n, unaer he preffure of bufinefs and ill health, 
nitli the hipjiefl rcJpcEl, 
J have the hovor 10 ie, 

Yourjriend and humble ftrvant, 

JOSEPH STORY, 

Jacob Crov/nin shield, "v 
Henry Prince, j Commiitte 

JosephRopes, J, of 

John H a t h o r « s , jiHn. J Arrarig emtnts, 
Joseph White, ^'i/«. J 



AM 



O P. A T I O N, 



fELLOJT CITIZENS, 

X HE celebration of national 
atchievennents adds luftre to national chara6lcr. 
It cheri flies the fpirit of emulation, and exalts 
the ardor of patriotifm. It quickens intoa(5lion 
€vcry latent principle, and imbues the foul with 
the deepefl: coloring of national fentiment... 
Why has the Minftrel attuned his lyre to the toils 
of antient 'heroifm R His flowing eloquence, 
his varied pathos, and his rich cxprcffion, 
have entranced the attention of ages, and drawn 
tears of delight from the favage and the flige. 
Greece has not alone fung the battles of her 
warriors and the fplendor of her art. Rome 
has not alone touched the fympathies, by un- 
folding the cnterprizes of her patriots. On ths 
banks of the Danube the voice of vidlory has 
fwelled the feflivify of the Vandal ; and the 
mufic of the chiefs of other times yet echoes 
through the highlands of Caledonia. The tide 
of gratitude has flowed from ilre to fon ; an(i 



{ 6 ) 

ehe {pint enkindled by valor has defcended with 
the memory of its gallant deeds. 

What more auguil: occafion could have con« 
vened us together ! Other nations have cele- 
brated the birth of a hero, or the apotheofis of 
a faint. Wc have a nobler caufe for exultation,, c 
the triumph of Liberty. This day our coun- 
try has reached the twenty-ninth year of her fov- 
creignty and independence. It is worthy of the 
dignity of freemen to record in their annals the 
time of fuch admirable attainments. It is wor- 
thy of generous enthufiafm to immortalize the 
fpirit which purchafed the invaluable inherit- 
ance. If it were liot due tothe honorable wounds 
cfour patriots, it were the prudence of civil 
poliiy to embalm the narrative of events which 
iixed the fluctuating defliny of ages, and eflab- 
liflied the rights of mankind on an imperifha- 
blebafiS...Deep in dilgrace muft they be funk, 
who behold, unmoved, the monuments of their 
f;ime decay, and fuffer tlie rank weeds of neg- 
led to feed on the mouldering trophies of their 
valor. Such unalterable infamy belongs not 
to human nature but in its lowefi degradation. 

Should the time ever arrive when the folemu 
appeal, which this day once wi'inefTed, fhall be 
I'iewed with indifference or difdain...when th?; 

9 



( 7 ) 

fublime declaration, th^ America was free and 
fovcreign, fhall be deprecated as a paroxifm of 
political madnefs...well may we weep over the 
ruins of our country.,. "Vvell may we exclaim, in 
the holinefs of claiTic lamentation, Bic Iroja 
fuit. The forms of Liberty may remain, but 
the fpirit will be loft forever. The Ghoft of 
its departed excellence may moan and wander 
through our deferted capitol ; but it will be ant 
unreal mockery, * 'without a local habitation or 



a name.*' 



Let no fearof fuch prophetic evils fully fhc 
pleafura of thisalTembly. The joy with which 
we celebrate this national jubilee, is an earneft 
of our future confiftency. It pronounces to our 
fathers, that what their honor acquired, our in- 
trepidity fhall preferve ; what their blood pur- 
chafed, our gratitude (hall redeem; what their 
wifdom reared as the temple of liberty, we will 
ornament and proted; as the perfection of polit- 
ical architedlure. 

The caufcs which influenced, the principles, 
which guided, and the fpirit, which executed the 
exploit, prefent glorious examples of virtue and 
perfcvcrance. They aecompliflied a change, 
at once unexpedted^and perplexing to the cab- 
inets of Europe. They difplayed the novel 



( 8 ) 

fpe(5tacle of a province fhaking from its feet 
the chains of foreign dominaiion, and affuming 
thc-'-imperial purple; of a nation, rifing in the 
thajt. fly of youth, to encounter, confound, and 
enervate the counfels and the arms of organized 
authority. But this fpirit, thefe principles, and 
thefe caufes were not of momentary impulfe. 
The experience of centuries had given them a 
inaturity, which nothing could advance, and 
an energy, which nothing Could refifl:. Perfe- 
cution had Simulated virtue ; and virtue fecu- 
red the triumph of valor» 



Our ancel^ors wxre truly the fons of enter- 
prize. Having fled from the tyranny of relig- 
ious intolerance, they fought in the uncultured 
wilds of America an af\'lum from opprefTion, 
and a heritage for their children, Nurfed in an 
adveriity the mofl trying, at a time when the 
rights of confcience were cflablifhed by inquif- 
itorial edi(fts ; when religious apoftacy was de- 
cided by trials more abfurd than Gothic ordeals; 
when heretical convid:ions were enforced at the 
Hake and the' fcafTold, with cruelties which 
might appal the heart of a Caligula, and arrefl 
the purpofe of a Suwarrow...nur'cd in fuch an 
adverfity, they knew the full value of liberty, 
and liberally paid for the purchafe. They ef- 
teemed confcience more than life j and unfet- 



( 9 ) 

tered poverty more than luxurious dependence. 
The pampered indulgence of iloth was in their 
view no equivalent for inglorious fervitude. 
It was the bells and the trinkets of the African, 
which amufe his fancy, while they found his 
difgracc and feftcr his finews. The land vvhich 
they explored was indeed no Canaan flowing 
with milk and honey, to fweetcn the repofe of 
wearied pilgrimage. The yell of the favage 
fwept frightful on thebiarts of night ; and the 
day flar lickened at the defolation of the pefti- 
lence. Whom the tomahuv/k faved frorri its 
fury, the famine fmote wirli difeafe ; whom 
the merciiefs winter fpared from deftrudion, 
funk under the hed:ic of iummer. But a cour- 
age, which like the principles which infpired 
it, knew no ruler but heaven, added perfever- 
ance to zeal, and fuccefs to perfeverancc. The 
intrepid exiles gloried in their toils and fccured 
jhe tranfporting triumph of liberty. They ef- 
tablifhed rights, not on the prefcription of an- 
tient ufage ; they eflablifhed authorities, riot 
merely on the chartered bounty of royal muni- 
ficence; they eftabliflied a nation, not by the 
gradual ufurpation of afpiring vafTals on feudal 
ieignories...but they eftablifhed the whole on 
the legitimate bafis of popular confen?. No, 
Fellow Citizens, we vv^erc not like the convids 
of Botany Bay, the planted colonics of domef. 
B 



I lO J 

tie humanity ; nor, like Ireland, the fraudulent 
Gonqueft of a crafty enemy. We were not, 
like feudal Villains, attached to the demefnes 
of a Lord ; nor defcended, like an heirloom, 
the heavy appendage of an imperial crown. 
We grev." by the flrength of native vigor ; wc 
rofe by the force of internal regularity, untofler- 
ed by foreign fmiles and unaided by maternal 
proteftion until we became an objcdt of jealous 
ambition. Like the oak of our own forefls 
we were born and nurtured in a ficy, which 
never knew the blight of opprelTion, or the 
engraftment ofdefpotifm. The foil cultivated 
bv the labor, and the rights advocated by the 
voice of our fiU hers, were equally ov\t allodia! 
and unincumbered inheritance. Ti)ey mort- 
gaged no fervices to prerogative, and they 
claimed no equity from regal juftice. What- 
ever Britain gained over our fovereignty was 
the mere right of power over infant weaknefs; 
the filent though irrefiftible ties of a common 
origin, a common language, and a common 
fympathy. We fubmitted to her encroach- 
ments, becaufe we were unable to refift them ; 
we wore her fwathing bands, becaufe we want-- 
ed ilrength to burft themo 

Thefe circumftances ought to be well rt- 
colledled in order to afcertain the nature of our 
levolutionary contefl j and vindicate it to thofe 



( 'I 3 

whohave not afcendcd to firfl: principles. With- 
out thefe confiderations wc might be unjuill)' 
branded with the ignominy of a rebellioa 
againfl: the fahitary difcipHne of parental au- 
thority. Miferable indeed would be the foph- 
iftry, and worthy of the diflolutenefs of ealtern 
fervility. — The ties of the political compact, 
have no analogy with natural affinity. The 
remorfelefs parricide under every pretext is in- 
dignantly banifhed from fociety. But the 
opinion, that no infringement of national right, 
no exercife of defpotic vengeance, no oppref- 
iions of plundering cruelty, can juftify a re- 
nunciation of fovercignty, is too abUjrd, too 
monftrous, too deftrud:ive, for the adoption of 
seafon or honor. The furious zeal of an Em- 
prefs who could murder her hulband, and the 
bloated ignorance of a Pope, who could anath„ 
ematize a world, would fhrink from a vindi- 
cation of fuch atrocious do(fl:rines. The grofs 
obeifance of the Rufs, and the indifcriminate 
appetite of the Ecclefiaftic, would loath the 
unfeemly poifon. They might fwallov/ the 
dogma of tranfubftantiation ; but no Jefuiftry 
could win from their confciences, that political 
infallibility fupercedes the laws of nature. 

To the honor of Britain let it be remember- 
ed, that in her worfl days this doctrine was 
never ferioufly alTumed as the bads of her do- 



minion over us. It can be found only in tke 
black lettered rubrics of monkiih folly, or the 
debafing catecbifms of modern policy, more 
wicked in purpof^, than contemptible in cha- 
radler. To make way for the grand promul- 
gation of it, confpiracies of political demoral- 
ization have been conjured up; piophefies of 
impending ruin induilrioufly circulated, the 
misfliapen notions of a few fanatics organized 
into the principles of a new philofophy ; and 
in fine, the mangled fkeleton of liluminatifm, 
dug from the bowels of Germany, to fill up 
the cauldron of forcery and brew the ominous 
witchcraft,.. But i paufcfrom the purfuit. The 
dodtrine of political infallibility is now quietly 
buried in the fame grave with papal luprema- 
cy. Should any unholy charm raife it once 
more to '* revifit the glympfes of the moon," 
we truft the genius of liberty will exorcife the 
fiend, and lay it forever in the Red Sea of ob- 
livion. 

A half century has nearly elapfed fmcc the 
pride of Britain, unveiled and undifputed, firfl 
difclofed to our fathers, the extent of her arbi- 
trary pretentions. It had been the prefcriptive 
rule of her conftitutional policy, confirmed by 
t;ie charter of one monarch and ratified by par- 
'lamentarv wifdom on the abdication of ano- 
I'-r ti-jat the right of R-eprefcntation was co- 



( '3 ) 

pctenilvc with the right of taxation... that hfc, 
liberty, and property were controlable only by 
juries in the Courts of Law, or by peers in the 
Courts of Legiflatioa. This was the darling 
birthright of Engliflimen ; foftered with une- 
qualled folicitude ; felt and inculcated with ca- 
tholic enthufiafm. It was bought by heroes 
\vorthy of the acquifition, and defcended to a 
poflerity worthy to preferve it. It was the un- 
alienable privilege for which Hampden bled, 
and Sidney fuffered on the Scaffolds If we 
were the fubjeds of England, this right was 
alfo our unquertionable inheritance; if we were 
not, we poffeiTed it from the bounty of nature. 
Yet in defiance of all principle, in oppofitiori 
to all authority, flie boldly advanced the doc- 
trine, which fubjed:cd us to the dependence of a 
province, and the affumptioas of a conqueft. 

The fpirit of America kindled at the infolent 
pretenfions. She was governed by a mild, but 
inflexible policy.— — In tranquility, like the 
Chriftian charity, pure, holy, gentle, eafy of 
accefs, without partiality and without hypocri- 
fy. But roufed to indignation, like Hercules, 
fhe rofe in the frefhened energy of youth, and 
ifrangled the ferpents that ufurped her cradle. 
To a mild petition for redrefs, an ambitious 
miniflry returned an imperious, tho' ambiguous 
anfwer...to a modefl ftatemcnt of wrongs, they 



( H ) 

replied with compulfatory edicfls, poifoned with 
the bitternefs of farcafm...to a definitive remon* 
ilrance of reafon, they retorted menacing accu- 
fations, which converted the bitternefs of far- 
cafm into the luftfulncfs of vengeance. The 
cup of reconciliation was drained to its very 
dregs. ..Our fathers faw that they mufl: iink in- 
fo the tamenefs of llavery, or afTert the dignity 
of freedom by the fword and the bayonet. The 
habits, the lympathies, and the afFedlions of 
life, forced on theirminds the former ahernative. 
On one fide they beheld a nation, gigantic in 
power, abundant in revenue, and elate with re* 
cent vidiory ; with troops of hereditary valor, 
gallant in enterprize, and fteady in difcipline... 
On the other fide they beheld a country divid- 
ed in councils, difirad:ed by jealoufies, and li- 
mited in refource ; undifciplined for war, but 

imufed to fubmiilion.- The fituation was 

fraught with peiiis. But life was the boon, 
and they exclaimed, with the generous Roman, 
" a day, an hour of virtuous Liberty, is worth 
a whole eternity of bondage.*' The awaken- 
ing ardor eleiflrized every heart ; and furmount- 
ed every obftacle. The genius of our Country 
waved hi3 banners in protedtion ; and the 4th 
ot July, 1776, witnefTed the folemn appeal to 
the God ol Armies, that. America would be 
free, or perifli in the effort. Sublir-se Deter- 
mination 1 Glorious Refolve! It will remai« 



( »5 ) 

an e*err>al monumcrit of honor to tkc H'erocs 
who conceived it... it will remain a fplendid ex- 
ample to latefl poflerity of what a handful of 
brave men caneffedt, when fupported by the 
energy of independence. The ch.ir-icter of hii- 
man nature never approaches "fonear to divinity, 
as when i^ruggling to prefcrvc the rights, and 
accomplifli the falvation of mankind. Our 
Fathers merited fuccefs, and they obtained it. 

They fought; they bled ; they triumphed. 

From the perilous enterprizes of an eight years' 
war, they rofe to the full pofieflion of the belt 
gifts of heaven, civil and religious liberty. 

Fain would I drop a veil over the conduifi: of 
Britain during this momentous conteft of the 
fpirit of reafon againfl the fpirit of domination- 
Would it were poflible to blot her mercenary 
cruelties from the annals of our hirtory. But 
they mull: and will defcend to future ages the 
difgraceful mementos of civilized barbarity. 
Let no one imagine that I think meanly of the 
Britifli Charader. I honor a people, whofe 
Conftitution has been for ages a folitary inflance 
of jurifprudence, founded on the acknowledged 
rights of man. I honor a people whofe m.uni- 
ficence has patronized the arts, and given the 
fciences a liberal refuge from papal oppreiT.ons. 
I honor a people who, in their lavvs and man- 
ners, ia their valor and entcrprize, have difcov-- 



( i6 ) 

fred a pcrfeverance and illumination, which 
have blended fpeculative wifdom with pradlical 
grandeur. I wifh it were poffible to honor the 
humanity of their martial atchievements, or the 
reditudc of their ambitious projedls. Their 
liill for dominion has for centuries deluged the 
plains of Europe with blood, and difgraced the 
ocean with opprefJive plunders. National juf- 
tice has perilhied on the altar of pride, and evea 
the fandtity of religion been proftituted to the 
fupport of minifterial crufades. 

Moderation in refentment is not only the re- 
£nement of philofophy, but the dictate of na- 
ture. The polluted jealoufies of national rival- 
ry have too often fharpcned the retaliations of 
cruelty, and flimulated the fury of the paffions„ 
The fatal projeds of an Edward have unfor- 
tunately ietthd an hereditary hatred in the In- 
habitants on either iide of the Englifh channel, 
which neither time, nor reafon, nor generoiity 
can fubdue. But though as men we difdain to 
confuh the indignation of accumulated wrongs j 
though as chriftians, we forgive the brutal re- 
venge of our revolutionary foes, *' we muft re- 
member fuch things were,*' and pafs the whole-^ 
fome lelTon tc poflerity. Can we forget the 
time when, to glut this odious paffion, our ci- 
ties were wrapped in flames ? our widows and 
children impaled on the bavonet i* our wives and 



( '7 ) 

rriothers expofcd to the mercilefs ravi{her» or 
loil ill the fury of contending elements ?... Hap- 
py, thrice happy had it been, if but one Cre- 
us A had pcrilhed iri the tempers ! Can we for- 
get, that the tomahawk and the fcalping knife 
were not beneath the refearch of martial poli- 
cy ? that the Indian warwhoop was the fignal 
for the execution of deeds, " which freeze the 
young blood and harrow up the foul ?" Can 
we forget, that prifon fliips, more fure in their 
purpofe, though lefs rapid in their fatality, than 
the black hole of Calcutta, were the Icathfome 
abodes of thoufands of our injured uncomplain- 
ing countrymen, who lingered for months in. 
the agonies of corrupted horror ? Death had 
been fweet to them ; but it came not to relieve 
till emaciated peflilence had exhaufted every 
fevcrity of torture. The affrighted Hudfori 
** heard nightly plung'd beneath his fullen wave 
the frequent corfe," till his waters thickened 
with the Ihining pollution. To this very hour 
the fhrieks of the unburied dead roll on the blaft 
of midnight, and accufe the ungrateful ncgled: 
of their country. Can wc forget thefe things? 
No... We will forgive them ; but poflerity Ihail 
learn, that a civilized nation in an enlightened 
age has not been afllamed to record her infamy 
by fuch fanguinary flratagems. 

While we mourn over thefe unfortunate vic- 
C 



( «8 ) 

Jims, whofe filent fortitude was denied its re- 
ward in the death of honor, let it fix in our 
hearts the mighty price of our political falva- 
tion. Shades of departed heroes ! ye who fell 
in the fury of the battle, and ye who perifhcd 
in the poifon of the prifon-.-ye have not died in 
vain ! Sweet is the voice of your fame.... The 
bleflings of nations have fwelled your requi- 
ems.,, the laurels of glory thicken on your fe- 
pulchres...the gratimde of Liberty immortalizes 
your memories. Your children fhall triumph 
in your deeds ; and by perpetuating the rights 
which you purchafed, fhall elevate the dignity 
of your atchievements, and brighten the fplen- 
dor of your renown ! 

Lefs grateful is the tafk to trace the hiflory 
of later times, and mark the aberrations from 
revolutionary principles. Deeply is it to be re- 
gretted that any can 6e found, who, fubfervient 
to foreign influence, or fubtle in inildious pur- 
pofe, depreciate the rights which they enjoy, 
and flain their anceftry by apoflacy and ingrat- 
itude. After fifteen years of the pureft civil 
liberty, proteded by a conllitution admirable in 
deUgn, and beneficent in operation ; after fif- 
teen years, in which commerce has guided to 
our fhores the trea fares of the eafl and weft, 
and the arts and fciences been cultivated with 
an entcrprize unequalled in fuccefs, it would 
fcem hardly poflible that any could be found fo, 



( 19 ) 

ioft to human dignity, as voluntarily to re- 
nounce thefe bleiTings, and afk an afylum un- 
der the dangerous proledion of royalty. But 
Americans are to learn that ambition, like Mef- 
falina, thinks no proftitution beneath its boaft, 

and no corruption beneath its connmunion. 

Lajfata, nccdum fatiata, rcce[fit ; wearied, but 
never fatisfied, it retires for a moment only to 
re-ad: its iniquities with renewed vigor. Ter- 
ror and perfecution after exhaufting Europe, 
have been deftined to crofs the Atlantic, and 
roam from Altamaha to St. Croix. The rich 
and the powerful have been dazzled with the 
magnificence of courts, and the blufhing enfigns 
of nobility. The prudent and the good have 
been alarmed with the dangers of experiments, 
which feeming to fet every thing afloat, might 
overwhelm them in their progrefs. The veil 
of the temple of Liberty has been rent in twain, 
and the very altars devoted to fanguinary accu- 
fations. 

On every fide Republican inflitutions have 
been attacked. The quarrels and dilTentions of 
revolutionary zeal have been artfully fomented 
and exaggerated. The order of defpotifm, a 
bloated carcale of unweildy difeafe, calm only 
from want of life, has been dreffed in the robes 
of an Apega, though, like her, concealing in 
the ornaments of its bofom a poifoned dagger, 
it folds to corrupt, and embraces to dellroy..., 



( 20 ) 

Thefc events are not here recited to awaken in- 
dignation or extenuate error : they are recalled 
to your minds merely to ihew that even inno- 
cence and virtue may become the deluded apol- 
ogifts of intolerance and crime. 

Far be it from me to vindicate the atrocities 
which havc^ fometimes difgraccd the bed of 
caufes. Theaccufations, thebanifhments, and 
the favage perfidies which have crimfoncd the 
Gallic annals, are deeply to be regretted by eve- 
ry friend of humanity and reafon. They have 
left a ftain on the altar of Liberty, which her 
veftal worfhippers have fcarccly wafhed away. 
But let thofe who have added the torch to the 
faggot, as well as confounded the principle with 
the adiion, let thofe refpond to their confcienccs 
for the unholy horrors. Let them weigh a- 
gainil: revolutionary woes, the raaffacres cf 
Charles, the Siberia of Catharine, the crema- 
tions of Mary, and bloody perfccutions of Phi- 
lip. Let them decide if the opprefiions and 
cruelties of ten centuries could be too fiercely 
retaliated. Let them decide if thefe accumu- 
lated wrongs could be redrefl'ed, but by the aw- 
ful facrifice of the innocent with the guilty.— 
Alas ! the beft caufe cannot decompofc the cor- 
rupt elements of ambition ; the worft cannot 
extinguilh every gleam of virtuous glory. But 
v^oubly guilty arc thofe, who, to fubferve the 



( =»! ) 

purpofcs of party, wilfully confound accidental 
evils with neccflary refults j and depreciate the 
principles of freedom, by examples drawn from 
the violence of a moment. 

Why are the American People at this, very 
moment arranged under adverfe banners by the 
vehemence of party ? Why are names made 
the rallying points of divifions, when there is a 
real harmony of fentiment ? We believe in the 
emphatic language of our illuftrious father, that 
the great m.ajority are, in a noble fjnfe, ** all 
federylifts, all republicans." But their charac- 
ters and fentiments and friendfhips have been 
hazarded in tlie jeopardy of words. Why are 
the fplendor and tranquillity of monarchies 
blazoned, in all the pomp of eloquence; and 
the nftiferies and oppreffions and frauds of here- 
ditary prerogative forgotten or concealed ?... 
*'What would^offend the eye in a good pid:urc 
the painter carts difcreetly in the fhadcs." Why 
is the alarum bell forever ringing changes a- 
gainfl innovation, reform, and philofophy ? 
Are the crude abortions of a few difliempered 
brains to be afTumed as the principles o^ Legif- 
I-ation ? Moderation and prudence fhould 
guide the hand of experiment with acontroling 
cpolnefs ; but furely improvement is not forever 
to be ffifled by the fear of difafl:er....Why are 
projeds darkly hinted which tend to difTolve 



( a* ) 

the Union, and reflore us again to anarchy and 
confufion ? Thefe are evils which all good 
men fhould unite to reprefs ; for all are intereft- 
ed in the prefervation of their country. Yet 
party fpirit has fo far blurred the public viiionj 
that though they difturb the glare of day, they 
feem buried in Cimmerian darknefs, 

I am deeply fenfible that the afhes, on which 
I tread, are living embers. Ref^etling men and 
meqfurcs, no vehemence of declamation, no a- 
cerbity of invedive, fhall on this occafion in- 
vade thefe walls. That tafk is left to thofe, 
whofe modefty has ufurped all talents and viV- 
tue, and whofe candor has meafured all politi- 
cal honeily by the fcale of fad:ion....No fuch 
pre-eminence is claimed here. We are proud 
\o confefs that many are found in the oppofi- 
tion, whofe powers tranfcend the timid ken of 
repuWicanifm, and whofe honor has never been 
fullied by fufpicion. But refpeBing principles ^ 
no one advanced beyond the rattle and leading 
ftrings fliould difgrace himfelf by hejiitation.— - 
1^ our feven luflres of liberty had been, like the 
Roman Saturnalia, a Ihort interval of equality, 
only granted to rivet more firmly the fetters of 
ilavery, we might v/ell reafon ourfclves into a 
patient belief of the bleffings of oppreffion.— ' 
The gauzy fophifcry would at leaft cover our 
fhame, and blunt our feniibility. But if one 



( «3 ) 

particle of revolutionary Ipirit yet remains, it 
muft flame with indignation at the terrible im- 
port of monarchical maxims. Yes, Fellow- 
Citizens, whatever forms they aflume, whether 
the clamorous authority of power, or the grave 
refinement of fpeculation ; whether they de- 
nounce, or weep, or entreat, the crafty Sinons 
who would exchange republican fimplicity for 
royal trappings, are the deadliefl: enemies of our 
national greatnefs. It requires not the prophe- 
tic powers of a Cassandra to forefee, when 
ilich men bear fway, that the wooden horse 
of defpotifm will foon be within the walls of 
the Conftitution. It will then be too late to 
favc.The womb is fertile in arms j the gates 
are furrendered to the foe I 

What in truth are the boafted advantages of 
monarchy ? Are civil liberty and perfonal pro- 
tection fecured ? Thefe are the tranfcendant 
rights of mankind, without which life itfelf 
were a heavy burthen. Look over the annals 
of ages, and mark the melancholy pidures, — 
Wherever we turn, nothing appears but a gloo- 
my fuceelTion of tempefts, lighted at diiiant in- 
tervals by a tranfient funfhine, which renders 
the furrounding darknefs more terrific. Op- 
prefHon and cruelty, murder and war, dcfciibe 
the progrefs of dominion. The v/hims of a 
courtier, the intrigues of a miftrefs, or the -an- 



( "-4 ) 

ger ofa prince, have defolated kingdoms, and 
facrificed the feHcity of milhons. The lives of 
fubjedis have been too mean for the confidera- 
tion of thofe, v/ho are born for empire. If the 
fecurity of property be the objedt 'of govern- 
ment, where is the monarch whofe rapacity has 
not trampled en the laws, and wrefled from in- 
duftry its fcanty pittance ? What has been 
fparcd from the grafp of the excife, has been 
plundered under the fandtion of a requifition. 
Even in that country, which boafts a limit- 
ed conflitution, fcarcely have her own hiftori- 
ans, thro* a feries of one thoufand years, traced 
a lingle reign untarniflied by arbitrary exac- 
tions, and unclouded by unneceflary wars. 

National honor has been the vulgar pretence of 
dictatorial authority, and national calamity the 
undeviating refult. Need I advert to antient 
times ? Examples yet live, and crowd around 
me on everv fide. The vaiiies of Erin echo 
with the flirieks of murderfind rapine; and the 
flreams of the Indus are choaked with the blood 
of its children. 

No, fellow citizens... though under a mild 
fovereign the fubjtds of hereditary fvvay may 
enjoy civil happincfs ; yet jt is but the dream 
of a moment. There is no fecurity for the fu- 
ture^ Wherever public ref'ponfibility ceafcs> 
irnufticc will prevaiL No character is too fub-. 



( 25 ) 

lime for error, when the force of puWic influ- 
ence is dellroyed. Kings have not afTumed 
the robes of angels to difpenfe peace and juftice : 
they have not been cloathed with divinity torc- 
fifl the aflaiilts of ambition, and the alUiremcnts 
of vice. Corruption and crime have not fled 
the imperial purple. Debauchery and murder 
have too often ufurped the palace • and ftifled 
the voice of complaint, before it reached the 
throne. The energy of a monarchy is the mere 
refult of the abfolute control of one will over 
many ; of an individual opinion, unchecked but 
by the fuggeflions of ambition or revenge, 
This very energy, fo miicli admired from its 
promptitude of aclcion, becomes the iource of 
innumerable errors ; and one executive error 
frequently involves in it a deadly cataftrophe. 
This very energy is purchafed by the miferies 
of millions, whofe properties are devoured and 
whofe lives are crufhed by its licentioufnefs. 
It is the very nature of juflice to be deliberate. 
Rapidity of dccifion, though it may fometimes 
atchieve an im.portant enterprize, is generally 
in naaonal affairs the worft of political delu- 
iions. The mighty intereils of State are not to 
be moved like the wires of a puppet fliew. The 
fiery fpirit of ambition would overleap at once 
the ordinary calculations of reafcn, and hurrv 
into meafures, which nothing but defpair can 

D 



( 26 ) 

Siithorize. If this be energy, if this be glory, 
I truft we fliall long be Grangers to them. It 
is the boaft of a reprefentative government that 
the voice of the people is diflindly heard : that 
dehberation precedes adiion : that the interefts 
of the whole are not abandoned to the mercena- 
ry projeds of a few. Yet when national faith 
is violated, or national liberty invaded, the pub- 
lic zeal waits not in tardy indifference for the 
nod of a prince or the approval of a minifler. 
It concentrates itfelf for adlion, andbiiri-ls with 
inftantaneo'us vengeance on the daring aggreffor. 
Atvay then v/ith thefe fh allow declamations a-^ 
gainft republican governments. They pofTei's 
all the flrerigth requifite for national union in 
a /w6/e caufe ; more they ought not to polTefs. 
The foldier is not led to the field a deluded vaf- 
h] : he feels the public wrong, and glories to 
avenge his country. That the petty intrigues 
of a chief, or the fury of a fadion, cannot iil 
fuch a government awaken the popular zeal, is 
a proof of its admirable polity. War is the 
fcourge of the human race, and fliould be the 
laft rcfort of infulted virtue. The fufferings, 
which it entails, even in defence of juflice, re- 
quire that its caufe fnould be manifefl, and its 
objett nationah Freemen can never be infen- 
fible to martial ardor ; but they difdain to prof- 
titute it to the caprice of a courtezan, or the 
v/iles of a traitor. 



I 27 ) 

Let it be our duty then on this glorious anni- 
verfary to inculcate the love of the Conftitution, 
and cherifli with rapt devotion the Inftitutes of 
Freedom. We have paffed the perils of war, 
but we are not yet beyond the reach of political 
Catalines. Dangers of a moft powerful, tho' 
fecret influence, impend over cur heads. The 
voice of indignant virtue has crufhed the open 
traitor ; but who can feize the Senator in his 
wiles, and the alTaffin in iiis cell ? In every 
community, however bleft with privileges, or 
adorned with glory, there will always be found 
reftlefs fpirits, who are ever watchful to fan the 
flame of fadlion, and organize the machinations' 
offcdition. Urged by uncontrollable impul- 
fes, they riot in tumult, and build their great- 
neis on the ruin of their country. At every fa- 
vorable m.omcnt the fecret infinuations of in- 
trigue, the loud denunciations of confpiracy, 
and the crafty cantings of hypocricy, w'ill 6e 
employed to (hake our principles, and fap the 
foundations of national union. Every engine 
v/hich ingenuity can devife will be forced into 
adion to accomplifli the bold defign. Ambi- 
tion, who never flumbers nor fleeps, can aflfume 
ten thoufmd form.s to awe, to perfuade, and to 
intoxicate. It knows how to win the ear of 
curioilty by furprize, and force convid;ion on 
the unwary by the point of ridicule. At one 
time its voice in the muiic of a fyren pours the 



( 28 ) 

captivating itrains of eloquence ; at another it 
wins fweetly in the tones of flattery and candor; 
at another it denounces in all the thunder of ac- 
cufation. Daring, intrepid, infatiable, it ad- 
vances with a hardihood of afiertion commcn- 
furate with the falfity of its ilatements. It 
proflratcs at its feet, vyith unhefitating cruelty, 
every thing however facred, however venerable„ 
Youth, beauty, genius, age, are unrelentingly 
ltd to execution ; and the exulting demon laughs 
in the agonies of its vi<ftimSo 

Do I paint the perturbed images of a drecim i 
Do I paint the diftorted fidtions of fancy ?... 
Would to heaven it were all a delufion ! But 
no age or country has been exempt from its fu- 
ry. France has not alone wept over the maf- 
iacres of Robespierre ; Britain has not alone 
been clothed in fackcloth by the war§ of her 
Henries, Civil difTenfion has every where 
opened the way to'flaughter ; and unprincipled 
faction made a charnel houfe of the earth. From, 
the tom.bs where our revolutionary patriots in- 
terred the reliques of antient ariilocracy the gi- 
ganticSpECTREhas arifen. His voice has howled 
round our dwellings in the filence of midnight, 
and vifited the precindts of day with ominous 
predidlions. His breath has been the breath of 
war, deftruc^ion, and carnage,... Deaf to the 



( 29 ) 

ijroans of mifery, the murdered infant, the dif- 
iracficd mother, the burning city, have not chec- 
ked his impetuous career. His griliin wings have 
flapped in horrid triumph round us.. At one mo- 
ment all fecmed in ruin... but thanks to the wif- 
dom of our councils, the Miflillippi has not 
rolled in blood. Louisiana has leaped from 
her fetters, and like her fifter States, fmiles in 
the full polTefTion of peace, liberty, and virtue... 
The fong of the peafant echoes joyfully thro^ 
her mountains ; and the choral hymn of freedom 
fvvells the matins of her veftals.— — It flia]i not 
be my part on this occa{Ion to weaken by a tran- 
flent eulogy the admiration of this bright at- 
chievement of political philofophy. The fame 
of our illuftrious admiiniftration is not left to 
the pcrifhable breath of man. It is recorded 
in deeds which Ihall defcend to poilerity, and 
give immortality to national gratitude. Jef- 
ferson has not lived lor his own age. The 
hand, which traced the Declaration of hidepen- 
dencc, may crumble in the dufl i but the labors 
of thirty years devoted to the public fervice 
have enfured a title to a glorious perpetuity. 

What then. Fellow Citizens, Ihould the re- 
colledlions of this day infpire?...A holy devo- 
tion to liberty ; a jealoufy of power ; and a de- 
bellation of defpotifm. We fliould be vigilant 



I 30 ) 

*o mark the firll inroads on republican princi- 
ples ; we Ihould nourifh in our children an at- 
tachment to our national union ; and open our 
arms to receive the good and the honefi: of all 
political denominations. We fliouid embrace 
in the communion of private life all whofecha^ 
racters merit confidence ; but never fufFer our 
councils to be invaded by men, however exal- 
ted in talents, or fublime in virtues, who loathe 
the fiTnplicity of republican governments. 

Far be it from us to encourage an ungenerous 
jufpicicn of the dcfigns of the great and honor- 
able. It is mof!: ardently to be hoped that civil 
vviidom will no longer be the watchword for 
perfecution j ncr fuperior learning the flepflone 
to the guillotine. A fpirit of political intoler- 
ance has gone forth, more deflrudive "than. the 
pefrilence that walketh in. daiknefs, or the fa- 
mine that wafteth at noon of day.'* More ra- 
pid in its progrcfs, than the fabled Rumor, it 
has Avept away with indifcriminate fury the. 
lioary reputation of the fagc, the accomplifhed 
eloquence of the fcholar, and the w:cll earned 
laurels of the ffatefman. It has opened the flood 
^■xtQS of calumny, and fpread a mighty deluge 
over the moral world. No charader has been 
too high for its dctradion ; no glory too an- 
iknt for its fullying; no virtues too fure for itQ 



( 31 ) 

ravages. By a reverfe of afiinities, it has cori-^ 
trolled the defiderate of philofophy, and tranf- 
muted the purcft gold into the hafeft metal.— ^ 
We are indeed told, and from high authority, 
that this is the rank and indigenous offspring 
of republicanifm, which, like the Upas, chan- 
ges every thing, which approaches it, into in- 
hofpitable barrennefs. But let ihofe, whofe ar- 
tifices have wilfully fomented our domeftic dif- 
fenfions, anfwcr tliis by an appeal to their con- 
faiences . The flimfy pretext is too tenuous e- 
ven to fupport a funbearh. Thro* its goifoma- 
ry folds no eye is too dim to perceive the chry- 
falis of royalty. It is a mere talking puppet, 
to delude us of our liberties ; a pantomimic 
ghofi:, " which frets its hour upon the fl:age,'* 
to beguile us into hereditary government. Ca- 
lumny is the promifcuous growth of every age 
and clime. Nothing but the purity of a well 
regulated public opinion, and the energy of a 
generous and corrective fympathy can crufli its 
baleful progeny. 

To attain (his important end fliould be the 
firft ambition of freemen. If private charadter 
cannot be fccurc ; if individual enjoyment can- 
not be protected ; if a life of confillcnt devotion 
to the public good cannot redeem reputation 
from invidious afperAion,..in vain fliall wc ac- 



; 3^ ) 

count the bleilings of liberty... in vain {hd\ \vc 
allure to the charms of republicanifm. Man- 
kind will feek a filent oblivion under a yoke of 
bondage, rather than fubmit to iiich unequal 
contefls. Let it therefore be our darling objedl 
to preferve the freedom of the prefs, unadulter- 
ated and unfufpeded. While the vigor of its 
frame is unimpaired, and the fources of its nour- 
illimeht unpolluted, wc may bid defiance to tUc 
fliocks of ariftocracy and the pelblence of anar- 
chy. The immortality of our Conftitution, 
like the divine Calyplo, vvdil frefhen and bloom 
through an eternity of youthful lovelincfs. The 
activity of its nowers mav fometimes produce 
a rapidityof motion to alarm and perplex ; but 
it will only Ihew that the fprings of its life are 
chiflic, and the harmony of its ballances unin- 
tcjrupted. Difaffrous indeed v/ould be the mo- 
ment of its flumber. It would portend a leth-^ 
argy, "whence there is no return." 

Let us then infure this glorious perpetuity by 
a generous confidence, coextenfive with the le- 
gal requilitions of government. This confi- 
dence, too facred forabufe, and too formidable 
for competition, will add temperance of ad:ion, 
to honefly oi defign, and private honor to pub-* 
lie felicity. Lnder the aufpices of a candor, 
kind, yet watchful. ..ferene, yet inflexible, u- 



( 33 ) 

nion of fentitnent will give an impulfe to our 
national character more uniform and irrefifli- 
ble than ever invigorated the ufurpation of Ce- 
sar., or corrected the ambition of the Bour- 
bons. 

Much might be done to allay our unnatural 
jealoufies, if the good fcnfe of the community 
were united in the effort. I well know that 
moderation is too often miftaken for timidity, 
and prudence for weaknefs. The fluctuating 
indecifion of the wary and the fubtle is truly 
deteftable. It ferves all times, and fuits all fea- 
fons. It is a politiciU Proteus.; the motrient it 
is within your grafp, its form is changed, and 
its powers annihilated. But the filent majefljr 
of a mind, which unmoved by applaufe, and 
unawed by cenfure, fteadily purfues the path 
of honorable patriotifm, is the glory of human 
nature, becaufe it is the glory of philofophy. 
Its moderation is the coolnefs of rcfolve ; its 
prudence the active control of intelJed: j its de- 
cifion the impreffive maturity of judgment. A- 
mid the ftorms of contention, it preferves its 
retired chara(5ter ; but roufed by political foi- 
cery, it comes forth, like Samuel, in the awful- 
nefsof prophefy,, to dired:, to denounce, and to 
fubdue. -Such were the minds of the venerable 
fages who conducted us to independence ; and 
fuch are the minds deilined to hulh tlie tempo- 

E 



( 34 J 

rary difcords and harmonize the jarring clc^ 
ments of local prejudice. Public opinion will 
ioon feek its natural level ; and public jealoufy 
melt away in the general happinefs. 

Let then the creed of our political faith be, 
inviolability to conftitutional rights and confti- 
tutional authorities. Removed from the tur- 
inoils of Europe, let us preferve the rights and 
aiTert the dignity of neutrality. Let us banifh, 
from our hearts the petty prejudices of States, 
and unite in a bold vindication of our national 
rharadter. Let us cultivate peace and friend- 
jQiip with all mankind ; but difown all foreign 
partialities, not founded on commerce and vir- 
tue. So may the bleflings we poifefs defcend, 
to a grateful pofterity ; and in the pathetic lan- 
guage of the Venetian fage, our laft prayers, 
breathe for the Kcpuhlic.ej^o perpefua.,.ipi^j. 
it be immortal. 



SONG, cmpofedby Mr. Story, andfum at the 

ctofc oj the petjorma'ices in the Meeting Houje. 

ALL hall to the day, when affembled as one, 

Oar gallant forefathers proclaira'd us a nation ; 
\V hen Liberty rofe, as from chaos the Sun, 

And ^llnmln'd our realm with the rays of falvation ; 
Mtd the tempefl: her voice 
Bade her children rejoice, 
And protea by their valour the laws of their choice ; 
Wake, Ions of the brave ; ere ro tyrants ye bow 
Let your bones blanch the plains, where your fires urg'd the plough. 

From Georgia to Maine on the wide wings of fame 

Spread the zeal which infpir'd the fublime declaration, 
L.ke l-ghrmng diffus'd, the bright patriot flame 
Swept wild Its career, and eleftriz'd the Nation : 
Say, tyrants, the wind 
With chains can ye bind, 
As well might ye fetter the freeborn of mind : 

i^r '^^ ?'? ^''^ '•'^ '^"'^' ^^^° *° P'*'^-" ^^"ds the knee, 
i he G-ods fhall proteft ihofc, who dare to be free. 

Enroll'd by high heaven on the records of fate, 

Sfands the lofty decree, that through time fhall endure : 
All mortals are free, and their facred eftate 

No prefer! ption can bar, and no fiaion obfcure ; 
Their rights to maintain, 
None mall flruggle in vain, 
No barter can change them, no edia refiain ; 
Then periOi the coward, who fhrinks to a flave, 
Heaven gives its rich bkfTings tonouriai the brave. 

Mid the perils of war, mid the darknefs of death, 

Led by wifdom our fires the drear wilds track'd laborious - 

In vain famine and ficknefs fhed peflilent breath, ' 

They grev/ by defeat, and their zeal was viaoiious ; 

Xo, Liberty's light 
,^ Through the tempefl fhone bright, 

'Twas their pillar by day, and their cloud by the night • 

Let the brave ne'er delpair, for though myriads oppofe, ' 

The arm nerv'd by freedom fhall conquer all foes. 

Immortal defign ! when tlie conquerors of old 
Led their vafi"ils to bittle for plunder or glory, 



How high beat the pulfe when the viSl'ry was told, 
Rshears'd by the bard in the grandeur of ftory ; 
While the paeans afcend, 
Their forrows ihey blend, 
And pour o'er the fallen the tears of the friend : 
How rich are the tears o'er the heroes we (hed ! 
They cherilh the virtues — they hallow the dead. 

And fliall Freemen be dumb, when in Liberty's caule. 

Her patriots have perilh'd with holy devoiion, 
Unappall'din the dungeon^ unfway'd from the laws» 

Though murder fteam'd hot from the pefts of the ocean 
Or iKeir country to fave 
Mid the battle's dire rave 
Have bled — and their laurels have cover'd their grave ?- 
While we mourn their fad doom — not unblefi: be the figh, 
*Tis fweet— 'tis fublirae, for our country to die. 

Shades of Heroes departed !---the perils ye bore, 
■ The fame of your deeds td your offspring deicending, 
Shall fv^'ell thro' each vale and enkindle. each fliore, 

From the ipring of the morn to the day's weftera ending 
Arous'd by the found 
From his prifon profound 
The captive fhall leap, and his chains feel unbound : 
While true to your glory, the daring beheft 
*' To die or be free" fliail infpire every breaft. 

W^here Liberty dwells, lo ! what beauties arife, 

Art, fcience and virtue enjoy her proieftion — 
E'en the foil feels frefh nurture diftil from the fk.es, 
^ And wooes to its bofom the fruits of perfe£lion ; 
Beneath her mild reign 
Commerce freights the free main, 
And the Loves and the Graces difport on the plain^ 
Then crowd to her temples ye ions of the Brave— 
'Tis yours to preferve, what your forefathers gave. 

While the bright Sun of empire afceudj in the Wed, 
And courts its young gerii as with fmiles and careflTing?, 

Be our realm an afylum, where Freedom may reft, 

And the mild arts of peace diffufe wide their bleilings , 

,.*, ^o thro* ages untold 
^ Shall our children behold 

Pure feafons of glory and rapture unroll'd ; 

Till time his lafl cycle thro' nature fhall fweep^ 

And chaos 'return o'er the face of the deep, 

H -33 89 '1 












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